IPL auction: What the teams need

Delhi Capitals

• Salary cap available: INR 25.50 cr

• Available slots: 10 (Indian 7, Overseas 3)

• Main requirements: A Maxwell replacement

Delhi Capitals have added Shikhar Dhawan to their strong India-heavy top-order, and can now have a complete batting unit if they manage to replace Glenn Maxwell well. Their financial might (the second best salary cap available) should come as an advantage in that effort. Expect them to be one of the teams to dive head first to secure the services of young Windies batsman Shimron Hetmyer. If they are beaten to him by the other suitors - there will be a few - they can turn their attention to the likes of Chris Woakes, Carlos Brathwaite, Corey Anderson and Sam Curran.

Next in priority should be to add an Indian fast bowler as they parted ways with Mohammed Shami - even bringing him back for a lesser price could be on the cards [they paid INR 3 crore previously]. They could also look at other Indian options like Mohit Sharma, Varun Aaron and even consider giving local boy Ishant Sharma a new lease of life in the IPL.

Kolkata Knight Riders

• Salary cap available: INR 15.20 cr

• Available slots: 12 (Indian 7, Overseas 5)

• Main requirements: Experienced fast bowlers and a second-half Chris Lynn replacement

KKR ended their association with Mitchell Starc over a text message, and will actively seek an overseas fast bowler to lead the attack. Former South African quick Morne Morkel could be the perfect fit for KKR's waffer-thin squad that could do with a bowler who will be available for the entirety of the season. They could also consider an IPL veteran in Lasith Malinga or even the rejuvenated Dale Steyn, but run the risk of losing them midway to World Cup preparation. Considering Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Nagarkoti are the two fast bowlers in their ranks, it could be unlikely that they'll take the risk of adding another raw fast bowler in Windies' Oshane Thomas, however impressive he has been in recent times.

KKR also run the risk of losing Chris Lynn to Australia's World Cup preparation, and will need a handy replacement to keep their top-order form going. Martin Guptill, cleared to play the whole season, could be a useful alternative.

Kings XI Punjab

• Salary cap available: INR 36.20 cr

• Available slots: 15 (Indian 11, Overseas 4)

• Main requirements: Wicketkeeper, all-rounder, Indian and (back-up) overseas pace bowler, back-up Indian spinner

Bringing in the exciting talent of Hetmyer should be high on the list. He brings the chance of immediate impact as a replacement for Marcus Stoinis, as well as being an excellent acquisition for the future. Another important aspect that KXIP can look to set early is bringing in a regular wicketkeeper to relieve one of their most crucial batsmen KL Rahul, of the addition duty. They could be in for their former player Wriddihman Saha or use their advantage of having four available overseas slots and rope in Heinrich Klaasen or Luke Ronchi to replace Aaron Finch at the top of the order.

In the bowling department, they might need an experienced Indian fast bowler after only retaining Ankit Rajpoot. There's Unadkat, Shami, Ishant, Aaron and Mohit to pick from. KXIP could also consider bringing in a back-up overseas fast bowler to work alongside Andrew Tye.

Interestingly, KXIP released Axar Patel, the only player they retained in the previous auction. There's still a good chance they'll bring him back at a lower price through the auction. Should they opt against it, they will need another Indian spinner to support captain Ravichandran Ashwin and Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman.

Mumbai Indians

• Salary cap available: INR 11.15 cr

• Available slots: 7 (Indian 6, Overseas 1)

• Main requirements: An experienced spin bowler and overseas fast bowler

Mayank Markande was a revelation but second seasons aren't always kind on young players who previously brought a hint of mystery to his bowling. MI have another inexperienced spinner in Rahul Chahar, and should look to bulk up their spin department. Their options though, are very limited and they might end up going for Murugan Ashwin or even pick a left-field option in Fawad Ahmed, who topped the wickets charts at the Caribbean Premier League.

It will be interesting to see if the three-time champions rope in their former bowling-linchpin-turned-support staff member Lasith Malinga as a player once again. They released Mustafizur Rahman and Pat Cummins, but have enough overseas fast bowling options (Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Jason Beherendorff) in their ranks to fill the void. They could instead look at getting an Indian understudy for Jasprit Bumrah. A stable hand in the middle-order could also be sought after Kieron Pollard endured an abysmal season with the bat in 2018.

Royal Challengers Bangalore

• Salary cap available: INR 18.15 cr

• Available slots: 10 (Indian 8, Overseas 2)

• Main requirements: Death bowler

RCB's biggest pet peeve needs addressing at the earliest if they intend to end their IPL drought. Their Woakes experiment didn't take off, and might need a far better death-overs proponent who can lead the attack. Introducing a winner like Lasith Malinga could solve the long-standing woes with the ball. Alternatively, they could look at Dale Steyn or even Morne Morkel for the same role.

RCB let go of both Quinton de Kock and Brendon McCullum, and hence could be in the market for an explosive batsman to slot in at the top. They will be another potential suitor for Hetmyer. De Kock's exit means they might need another wicketkeeping option to challenge Parthiv Patel for the spot. Klaasen is also an option.

Marcus Stoinis's arrival is good news for RCB, but he - as well as Moeen Ali and Nathan Coulter-Nile - might leave mid-season for World Cup preparation. RCB might have to stock up on Indian back-up options for these players, as they have just two free overseas slots.

Rajasthan Royals

• Salary cap available: INR 20.95 cr

• Available slots: 9 (Indian 6, Overseas 3)

• Main requirements: Indian and overseas fast bowler, and a middle-order batsman

Rajasthan Royals let go of their 11.50 crore acquisition after a poor 2018 season, opening up the need for the signing of an Indian fast bowler. They could look at one of Shami, Ishant, Aaron or Mohit if they don't take the option of picking Unadkat again for a much lower value.

With three overseas slots to fill, RR's auction strategy could revolve around the fact that the trio of Steve Smith, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler may not be available for the entirety of the season. Beefing up the middle-order will particularly be high on the agenda, and prompt them to bring in Indian options as well.

The plan around their overseas signings could also involve a fast bowler, as they've released Ben Laughlin.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

• Salary cap available: INR 9.70 cr

• Available slots: 5 (Indian 3, Overseas 2)

• Main requirement: Opening batsman and wicketkeeper

David Warner's ban will end mid-March but Australia are likely to pull him out of IPL participation by mid-April for their World Cup preparation. With Dhawan also traded away to the Delhi Daredevils, SRH will be in the market for an opening batsman. Tom Moody might have detailed insights on someone like D'Arcy Short, but his time with the Rajasthan Royals this year may come in the way of him earning a second gig in India. A punt could be taken with South Africa's Reeza Hendricks, who has smashed two centuries and close to 379 runs in nine games of the Mzansi Super League.

With Shreevats Goswami the only wicketkeeper on their roster, SRH might also be on the lookout for options. If they were to kill two birds with one stone, going for someone like Mohammad Shahzad (AFG) and Glenn Phillips (NZ). Shahzad particularly should attract interest courtesy the Afghanistan contingent in the team. SRH can also look at securing Mushfiqur Rahim - who their video analyst will know quite well courtesy his ongoing assignment in the same role with the Bangladesh national side. Wriddhiman Saha won the trust of the franchise in the previous auction and will hope to attract a bid once more.

Chennai Super Kings

• Salary cap available: INR 8.40 cr

• Available slots: 2 (Indian 2, Overseas 0)

• Main requirement: None

If they could, CSK would probably have opted to skip the upcoming player auction entirely. They've retained nearly the entire title-winning squad, and have just two Indian player slots available to fill. One of those could be used to get a left-arm fast bowler - even test waters with bids for Jaydev Unadkat - who was released by Rajasthan Royals after initially snapping him up for a whopping INR 11.50 Crore. Barinder Sran and Aniket Chaudhary are options too. If they want to add further variety and options to their fast-bowling attack, they could turn to Mohammed Shami or Varun Aaron.